“You are Welcome Here”

The “You are Welcome Here” campaign seeks to increase visibility, to identify multiple points of access to LBGT support services, and to create a more welcoming campus environment.

The campaign asks MIT faculty and staff to consider posting a “You are Welcome Here” sign in a visible location. By posting the sign, individuals are affirming that they:

Will avoid heterosexist assumptions, confront homophobia, and use inclusive language (“partner” or “spouse,” rather than “boyfriend” or “wife”);

Believe that our campus is enriched by the inclusion of LBGT people; and

Will refer individuals to the lbgt@MIT and other appropriate resources.

In connection with the “You are Welcome Here” campaign, the LBGT Issues Group has set up a monthly email newsletter for participants in the program. The newsletter has information on current LBGT-related issues and events affecting the MIT community.

The Campaign is built upon similar “Safe Space” programs that have been implemented in schools, universities, companies, and communities across the United States. A listing of schools that sponsor such program is available. Please note that individuals who display the “You are Welcome Here” sign have not been trained in LBGT-related issues, but they are agreeing to the statements above and helping to create a more welcoming environment on campus.

If you would like to participate in the “You are Welcome Here” Campaign by posting a sign in your office or workspace or would like more information, please email lbgt [at] mit.edu or visit either Student Life Programs (W20-549, 617-253-6777) or the Rainbow Lounge (50-005, 617-253-5440).

Resources

Local LBGT

On-campus

The umbrella organization strives to create a more inclusive and welcoming campus community for lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender, questioning and friendly individuals, with a primary focus on students.

The Boston Pride Committee, serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and allied community, works to enhance the visibility of Boston's LGBT community through a week of events each June, in conjunction with year-round activities, to promote LGBT awareness, dignity, and understanding.

The Boston HAPPENS Program is run by the Children's Hospital and provides support to youth 12-24 who are HIV positive, unsure, or at risk. They also offer free and confidential testing for HIV, STIs and Viral Hepatitis to youth and young adults.

Campus Pride represents the only national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization for student leaders and campus groups working to create a safer college environment for LGBT students. The organization is a volunteer-driven network "for" and "by" student leaders. The primary objective of Campus Pride is to develop necessary resources, programs and services to support LGBT and ally students on college campuses across the United States.

Dignity/Boston is a progressive, inclusive community of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Catholics and friends. We are a member chapter of DignityUSA, a national organization with dozens of chapters and thousands of members.

You can receive help, information, referrals, and support for a range of issues without being judged or rushed into any decision you are not prepared to make. Across the country, Fenway's HelpLines are a source of support. Talk to trained volunteers about safer sex, coming out, where to find gay-friendly establishments, HIV and AIDS, depression, suicide, and anti-gay/lesbian harassment and violence.

The New England Aces, or NEA, is a meetup group for asexual individuals, partners of asexuals, and allies. NEA aims to create a supportive and open environment where community and friendship can develop based on trust, honesty, and respect.

Boston Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays is a group of parents, families, friends, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. PFLAG helps change attitudes and create an environment of understanding so that gay family members and friends can live in a world that is safe and inclusive.

National LBGT

The Bisexual Resource Center envisions a world where love is celebrated, regardless of sexual orientation or gender expression. Because bisexuals today are still misunderstood, marginalized and discriminated against, the BRC is committed to providing support to the bisexual community and raising public awareness about bisexuality and bisexual people.

The Mission of The Gay & Lesbian Review / Worldwide is to provide a forum for enlightened discussion of issues and ideas of importance to lesbians and gay men; to advance gay and lesbian culture by providing a quality vehicle for its best writers and thinkers; and to educate a broader public on gay and lesbian topics.

The GLBT National Help Center is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization that is dedicated to meeting the needs of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community and those questioning their sexual orientation and gender identity.

AVEN hosts the world's largest online asexual community as well as a large archive of resources on asexuality. AVEN strives to create open, honest discussion about asexuality among sexual and asexual people alike.

Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.

The National Center for Lesbian Rights is a national legal organization committed to advancing the civil and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education.

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network is a non-partisan, non-profit, legal services, watchdog and policy organization dedicated to ending discrimination against and harassment of military personnel affected by "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT). They provide free, confidential legal services to all those impacted by DADT and related discrimination.

MIT is committed to the principle of equal opportunity for students with disabilities. Our objective is to ensure that qualified students with disabilities receive equal access to all of the Institutes' programs, activities, and services.

The mission of the Multicultural Conference (MC2) is to bring students together across race, ethnicity, gender, religion, nationality, socioeconomic status, ability, sexual orientation, and other aspects of cultural identity.

The mission of the OME is to promote academic excellence, build strong communities, and develop professional mindsets among students of underrepresented minority groups, with the ultimate goal of developing global leaders in the academy, industry, and society.

Women's & Gender Studies is an interdisciplinary undergraduate Program, that provides an academic framework and broad-based community for scholarly inquiry focusing on women, gender, race, and sexuality.

Other Helpful Links

The mission of the American Civil Liberties Union LGBT & AIDS Project is the creation of a society in which lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender people and people with HIV/AIDS enjoy the basic rights of
equality, privacy and personal autonomy, and freedom of expression and association.

Founded in 1983, AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, Inc. (AAC), is New England’s first and largest AIDS service organization. AAC provides services for men, women and children living with AIDS and HIV; educates the public and health professionals about how to prevent HIV transmission in accordance with harm reduction principles; and advocates for fair and effective AIDS policy at the city, state and federal levels.

The Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC) is the Boston area provider of services including a 24-hour hotline, 24-hour medical advocacy, individual and group counseling, and legal advocacy to survivors.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry in the U.S. and abroad through information, education, legislation, and advocacy. ADL serves as a resource for government, media, law enforcement, educators and the public.

Samaritans is an organization whose goal is to reduce the incidence of suicide by providing free services in the greater Boston area to help individuals in the community struggling with despair, isolation, distress, and suicidal feelings, and by educating the public about suicide prevention and working to reduce the stigma associated with suicide.

A group of volunteer undergraduates who can answer basic health related questions and connect students to MIT Medical's services and other helpful resources. There are MedLINK representatives in most campus and off-campus residences.

The National HIV and STD Testing Resources Web site (aka HIVtest.org and FindSTDtest.org) is a service of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This Web site provides users with locations for HIV and STD testing and STD vaccines around the United States.

The MIT Ombuds Office helps people express concerns, resolve disputes, manage conflicts, and learn more productive ways of communicating. The Ombuds Office serves as an independent, confidential, neutral and informal resource to the diverse MIT community—it is a resource for faculty, staff, students and post-docs. It provides a place for every voice at MIT to be heard and to receive impartial attention without fear of loss of privacy. The Ombuds Office seeks to promote a fair conflict management system and supports systemic changes to achieve this goal.

Affiliated with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, the Sidney Borum Jr. Health Center specializes in providing comprehensive primary medical care, mental health counseling and substance abuse treatment to adolescents and young adults 13-40, including many gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender young adults, as well as young people without insurance.

Works to promote the academic success and holistic experience of students, reinforces the core values of MIT by providing support in an accessible and respectful environment, and provide advice and advocacy for students and act as a hub of resources, referrals, and information across the MIT community. S^3 is a service offered through the Undergraduate Advising and Academic Programming (UAAP) office.

Planned Parenthood's mission is to protect and promote sexual and reporductive health and freedom of choice through clinical services, education and advocacy, believing that sexual health is essential to every person's well-being. They offer STD and pregnancy testing, birth control, routine sexual health exams, and abortion, although not all services are available at every clinic.